Vail provides safety training for 2015

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VAIL — The Vail Police Department, in partnership with the Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL), a nonprofit institute, is providing a free public safety training on Tuesday to help law enforcement enhance community safety in preparation for the 2015 Vail-Beaver Creek FIS Alpine World Championships to be held next Feb. 2-15. The “Securing the Slopes” workshop will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday in the Grand View on the third level of the Lionshead Welcome Center.

The Boston Marathon and the Winter Olympics in Sochi have made it clear that high profile sporting events are potential targets for criminal and terrorist activity, according to Police Chief Dwight Henninger. As the World Championships approach, Chief Henninger says that one of the best ways to ensure the community continues to be safe is to provide critical prevention and preparedness training that extends to the public, businesses, vendors, special event staff and other personnel involved with the town of Vail, Eagle County, Vail Resorts and the Championships.

“Securing the Slopes” is part of the CELL’s Community Awareness Program, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security-approved public-safety training initiative designed in accordance with the nationwide “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign. This training has been recognized by the federal government as a best practice and is based on the CELL’s successful “Recognizing 8 Signs of Terrorism” video narrated by John Elway. The program has been successfully implemented at large sporting events including Coors Field, Pepsi Center, Winter X Games and the USA Pro Cycle Challenge.

Instructors at Tuesday’s training will include experts from the Colorado Information Analysis Center, FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and professional staff from the CELL. “Securing the Slopes” is the first in a series of programs that will be held throughout 2014 and 2015.

Vail’s workshop will be limited to the first 45 participants. To sign up, contact Vail Police at 970-479-2210 or email vpdrecords@vailgov.com.